Is it possible to reference an .html or .css file for the header and footer? I'm looking for a way to make simple sitewide changes without the use of frames. Is that possible? It seems easy, but my searches don't seem to come up with easy solutions. Right now I'm just looking for something that handles the header, navigation, and a footer that floats at the bottom, with other variables such as background color/image, paragraph styles, etc. Something where I can edit the .css file and the changes are sitewide.

I see where you are coming from, and I had a similar problem. For the headers, and footers of the code, yes. I wouldn't put the .CSS link into the code there because it already has it's predesigned code. I recommend putting the footer and header into a <div> and working from there.

Then again, I could be talking out of my ass about the header/footer code, but I know I'm not with the <div>.

PHP include would work. Or if you're using straight html and a program like dreamweaver, you can build your own templates that change site wide when you edit them.

Click to expand...

Dreamweaver is pretty cumbersome when it comes to templates. It can very confusing very fast.

Do yourself a favor and start using a simpler editor. I personally love TextMate, but also enjoyed using skEdit. There are tons out there, and each one runs circles around Dreamweaver for usability and consistency.

That said, I agree with the PHP folks here - that's the easiest way to go. But if all you want to do is easily replace the header/footer code on each page as you go, and you're not comfortable with a variety of programming languages, it's really a simple cut and paste job. Use any progam (Dreamweaver being one) where you can search the text of multiple documents at once; search for the block of code for your old header and replace with the new block of code you just wrote. It's ham-handed, but it only takes 2 or 3 minutes to change as many pages as you want.

But again, learn SSI or PHP Include. It'll save you time down the road.

MacRumors attracts a broad audience
of both consumers and professionals interested in
the latest technologies and products. We also boast an active community focused on
purchasing decisions and technical aspects of the iPhone, iPod, iPad, and Mac platforms.